On Wednesday (October 29), U.S. President Donald Trump began the final stretch of his Asia tour, expressing confidence in concluding a tariff agreement with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed progress had been made, saying, “We did. We reached a deal. We did a lot of different things. Great session.” Moments later, however, he moderated his statement, describing the agreement as “pretty much finalized.”
The ambiguity in Trump’s remarks left observers uncertain whether the deal was truly complete or merely nearing conclusion — a distinction that only time will clarify. The negotiations follow Trump’s earlier pledge in July to reduce tariffs on South Korean imports to 15 percent, contingent upon Seoul’s commitment to a $350 billion investment package.
This latest development underscores Trump’s characteristic approach to trade diplomacy — one marked by bold declarations and flexible timelines — leaving both markets and analysts watching closely for tangible outcomes beyond the rhetoric.
